I don't know about others, but while planning my wedding, it's been a constant question: can I do it myself or is it worth paying for the finished product?
It's a question that seems to arise with every choice and the answer is different for almost everything. There are many pros and cons that weigh into either option. Here's a short list of questions that I've found to speed up the decision making process for myself and other brides:
Can I afford to pay a professional?
Save yourself the financial strain and don't take on something that is over your budget. The stress of money isn't worth it. You don't want to start your lives together with a tight budget due to that big wedding.
Do I have time to do-it-myself?
I had a dream of doing most of my wedding DIY but the reality of working two jobs, busy friends, and a busy fiance put that dream in check. It is impressive how much crafting and assembly that you can squeeze in. I'm happy with the amount we've done. But sometimes it's totally worth the price tag to save you the time and work.
Example: our cost of flowers ended up being much higher than we originally budgeted for. We decided to go ahead with it because: A. Flowers are a huge part of the wedding for me. B. I was basically getting everything I dreamed of within the final quote. C. Most of the decor was the flowers, so it balanced the cost out. D. (the clincher for me) As most of the decor was floral, it meant that the florist would be taking on a large amount of set up. The cost of labor was very decent and the amount of labor she was relieving us of was totally worth the price tag. We re-evaluated our budget, decided to save on other areas, and were happy to have that much less work.
Is it worth it?
Evaluate why you want to DIY. If it's to save some money, make sure you're saving around 50%. If the savings are less than that, it may not be that much cheaper than paying a professional after you calculate all the supply costs and assembly time. If it's important to have an element of your wedding be homemade for sentimental purposes, then it should probably be a priority that you make it yourself. Your wedding should be special and meaningful to you. If paying or purchasing everything pre-made lessens the importance of the day, then schedule the extra time to make sure the day is extra special.
Do I have friends that could do it for me?
This is a wonderful option if you're strapped on time and cash. Do you have musically inclined friends? Know good cooks? Have artsy friends? If you have a good network, it's amazing the talents that you can find within it. I've seen friends pulled in for photography, cake baking, catering, music, hair, makeup, and decoration. If you don't personally know anyone that has the talent you're looking for, ask around. Chances are you've got a friend that has a friend... Here are the two things to consider when asking friends (this is the warning I give all brides that are exploring this option):
1. Take measures to ensure your friend won't feel taken advantage of. Most people know the approximate cost that a professional would charge for their service, so they're aware of the value they're giving you. Always offer to pay your friends. If you're on a very tight budget, explain the situation and the amount you could pay. Make sure they understand you aren't trying to short change them. On the same note, give them a detailed description* of what you'd like them to do and ask how much they'd charge. This lessens the chances of them feeling taken advantage of because you're putting it in their court. *Make sure they know everything they'll be doing before you ask them for a price. From personal experience, it's never pleasant to give someone a really good deal on services, then be surprised with a much larger workload then you were expecting.
2. If you're not paying for a professional, be prepared for an unprofessional result. Granted, these friends that get called in are often actual professionals just giving you a good deal, so you're probably safe. If they're up and coming, be aware that there may be a few hiccups. Another thing to consider when asking friends, what are the things you want absolutely perfect? Hair? Photos? Music? Professionals that have many weddings under their belts are used to the pressure and understand that this is a one shot deal. It may be "safer" to put the pressure on hired help for things that are really important to you rather then stress out a dear friend.
There you have it. There are other considerations, depending on the person and situation, but those are my four main elimination questions. I hope you find them helpful!
I'd love to hear what were deciding factors during your wedding planning! Please comment below to share with other brides or brides-to-be!
